My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

offer some to anyone, a group of

is

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

sing the

Rachel must close her

Rachel must blow out

to Julian that there was

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew

you!” their parents instructed, standing

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then.

and headed

she was inside her apartment and about to

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

on business? she

the house

“I see you’ve been

two steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to

he approached her, forcing

no idea

her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to